Latest Updates
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CalWORKs best practices for supportive services
All CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work participants are eligible to receive supportive services that are necessary for their Welfare-to-Work activity. This includes child care, transportation, and ancillary expenses. Supportive services must be advanced to participants when needed and requested by the…
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Increase in CalWORKs Maximum Aid Payment
The CalWORKs Maximum Aid Payment will increase by .3% effective October 1, 2024. The grant increase is funded by the Child Poverty and Family Supplemental Support Subaccount. Grant increases in future years will depend on the amount of…
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Cell-Ed for Afghan and Ukranian employment services participants
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding the Cell-Ed Welcome Start Program (WSP). It is an online learning program for eligible Afghan and Ukrainian employment services participants. Time spent on the program provides countable…
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Increase in CalFresh Standard Medical Expense Deduction
California currently has a Standard Medical Expense deduction of $120 per month under a project scheduled to last until September 30, 2025. This means that households with an elderly or disabled get a standard medical deduction amount of…
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Social Security updates listing of available occupations
Effective June 22, 2024, the Social Security Administration determined that 114 occupations listed in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles are not isolated jobs that can no longer be used to find that a person is not disabled. Social…
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Social Security reduces past relevant work consideration to 5 years
Effective June 22, 2024, the Social Security Administration has reduced the past relevant work consideration to five years. Social Security disability determinations use a five step sequential evaluation process: 1) Is the person working or earning less than…
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Benefits eligibility for citizens of freely associated states
Effective March 9, 2024, citizens of the Compact of Free Association states of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands are eligible for federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (CalFresh in California). This population is not subject to a…
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Benefits extension for Ukranian Humanitarian Parolees
President Biden’s signing of The Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, expanded resettlement assistance provided by The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to displaced Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians paroled to the U.S. The ORR updated its eligibility criteria and mainstreamed…
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Language access requirements for Public and Indian Housing programs
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has provided guidance for Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and other Public and Indian Housing (PIH) grantees on ensuring meaningful access to programs for persons with Limited English Proficiency…
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Child care family fees schedule
Every year, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) must establish a family fee schedule for families who receive subsidized child care. The family fee Is based on State Median Income. The family fee is a flat rate…